"At this time [1857] Tulare Lake was a very large sheet of water, about one hundred miles in length by thirty miles in width at its widest place. . . .
"We knew that our horses would not drink from the lake, but there were sloughs and holes of water in depressions outside of the lake, where the water was clear and fit for use.
"To one of these water-holes, which was surrounded by a fringe of tall willows, we directed our course in order to look for tracks of our missing stock. . . . There was a keen frost, and when we reached the water-hole a thin film of ice was seen upon the water. I dismounted and led my horse by the bridle, and walked to the edge of the water. Just as I reached it, the ground seemed to be violently swayed from east to west. The water splashed up to my knees; the trees whipped about, and limbs fell on and all around me.
"I was affected by a fearful nausea, my horse snorted and in terror struggled violently to get away from me, but I hung to him, having as great a fear as he had himself. Of course, all this occupied but a few seconds, but it seemed a long time to me. The lake commenced to roar like the ocean in a storm, and, staggering and bewildered, I vaulted into the saddle and my terrified horse started, as eager as I was to get out of the vicinity. I found my friend, who had not dismounted, almost in a state of collapse. He eagerly inquired, while our horses were on the run and the lake was roaring behind us, 'What is this?' I replied, 'An earthquake! Put the steel to your horse and let us get out of this!' and we ran at the top of our speed for about five miles. We observed several hundred antelopes in a state of the wildest confusion and terror. They ran hither and thither, creating a great dust, stumbling and failing over each other in mortal fear. It is their habit at this season of the year, while rearing their young, to congregate in great numbers for mutual protection from coyotes and other vermin; the males also herding in bands by themselves until the new grass starts. We returned next day and found that the lake had run up on the land for about three miles. Fish were stranded in every direction and could have been gathered by the wagon-load. The air was alive with buzzards and vultures eager for the feast, but the earth had acquired its normal condition.
"We can only imagine what the consequences would have been if a great city had stood upon the eastern shore of the lake."